Greg LeMond’s bike-constructing profession began when he produced a carbon-framed machine again in 1990 and rode his eponymously named bike for Team Z within the 1991 Tour. Eventually, LeMond Bicycles grew to become a part of the Trek group (reportedly netting the Wisconsin firm in extra of $100 million).
The partnership lasted for 13 years however sadly led to acrimony, when Trek seemingly backed the incorrect horse (Lance Armstrong) in a dispute after Greg was outspoken in his criticism of the state {of professional} highway racing, particularly doping.
Since these troubled instances, LeMond has been behind a wise coach (the pro-Tour-team-backing LeMond Revolution) and had a partnership with excessive-finish French carbon bike maker Time again in 2013, constructing lovely and unique fashions bearing the LeMond title.
Carbon for many years
A pioneer of carbon fibre again within the nineties, Greg has continued to be concerned with the black stuff and established LeMond Composites in 2016 at a $125 million facility in Tennessee.
He has now returned to the bike enterprise with the all-new Prolog, a light-weight carbon ebike with a sporty edge, geared toward commuters who don’t need to compromise velocity and dealing with.
It would have been simple for LeMond to make his comeback with a collection of race-bred carbon bikes as a result of the LeMond title nonetheless carries an enormous quantity of kudos amongst biking followers, and Greg’s sheer expertise and impeccable status as a fierce competitor and innovator is carved in stone.
The more durable path to take is that this, making good ebikes for a wider vary of individuals. The LeMond vary up to now consists of the Dutch, a motorcycle that takes the traditional traces of a step-by Dutch roadster and provides it a slick futuristic makeover, and the sportier, speedier Prolog that I’ve had the pleasure of testing out.
The LeMond web site additionally lists a motorcycle merely labelled ‘Road’ with a hyperlink to personal early entry, which might be a really intriguing growth.
LeMond Prolog journey impressions
The Prolog’s mild weight and slick built-in seems to be are one factor, however I have to admit the most important shock with the bike is simply how dynamically competent it feels to journey. I’ve examined a complete host of flat-barred commuter bikes over time, each assisted and non-motorised.
For probably the most half, this type of motorcycle takes its affect from mountain-bike design. That often means a relaxed head angle and a way more upright using place, making for a relaxed journey with regular steering.
The Prolog, nonetheless, has a a lot sportier journey. Its head angle is barely relaxed and the stack top is about the identical as you’d anticipate on a equally sized endurance bike (such because the Giant Defy or Cannondale Synapse); my massive check bike has a 635mm stack.
The attain is lengthy at 420mm, although, placing me very a lot in an attacking, extra velocity-oriented place.
The stress-free of the top angle offers a path of 77mm (path is the horizontal measurement from the entrance tyre’s contact patch to the place the steering axis meets the bottom); a smaller path measure produces a quicker-dealing with bike.
I’d anticipate round 58-60mm on an endurance highway bike, so the Prolog ought to, in concept, have extra steady dealing with than a drop-bar bike. The actuality, nonetheless, is the very extensive 760mm bar helps the steering really feel sharper, as a part of the one-piece full carbon monocoque cockpit with round 100mm of efficient stem size.
In impact, the Prolog feels steady over tough stuff, particularly over rougher damaged surfaces corresponding to un-metalled towpaths and cobbles, however the steering isn’t gradual.
The extensive 38mm tyres, specifically made for LeMond by Panaracer, give the stiff, responsive Prolog chassis simply the correct amount of cushioned consolation.
The identical is true of the bike’s contact factors. Tight-cell foam grips present ample cushioning and loads of grip to your fingers, whereas the Selle Royal Lift saddle is comfy whether or not you’re carrying full civilian garments or padded biking shorts.
The saddle can be bolstered with a rear seize deal with that will help you carry the bike as a result of, though 13 kilos is mild for an ebike, it’s nonetheless heavier than many non-motorised flat-bar bikes.
Shimano’s GRX drivetrain is a brilliant alternative with its easy 1x (single chainring) setup and clutch-geared up rear mech protecting the chain in place.
The Rapidfire Plus flat-bar highway shifter matches seamlessly to the GRX mech, and, with Shimano additionally offering the wonderful disc brakes, it’s a no-nonsense, slick operation.
LeMond additionally gives upgrades to the usual bike so you’ll be able to improve to a mixture of Shimano digital XT Di2 gearing and XT brakes, replete with the Deore XT Di2 system LCD show and e-tube connectivity to Shimano’s app.
The last piece within the puzzle is Token’s G23AR Prime wheelset. These alloy wheels are geared toward gravel riders, so have a large rim properly suited to the 38c tyres, plus an impressively low weight at 639g (entrance) and 784g (rear).
Again, right here LeMond gives what have to be one of many fanciest improve choices for a wheelset: LeMond carbon rims (21mm inner width) constructed onto German light-weight grasp Tune’s Kill Hill rear hub and light-weight entrance-disc hub for a wheelset that’s considerably lighter than the already light-weight Tokens that come as customary.
LeMond Prolog vary
Mahle’s Ebikemotion powers the Prolog and, in comparison with complicated mid-mounted ebike programs, it’s comparatively easy.
The outsized rear hub homes a 250W motor that places out 40Nm of torque. It’s managed by a single button that’s flush-mounted into the bike’s high tube, known as the iWOC controller.
Using the iWOC is straightforward, with its color-coded LED ring across the button that reveals energy modes and provides you a tough indication of the juice left within the tank.
Press to show it on and the ring shines white; press and maintain and it turns inexperienced (low help), orange (medium) and pink (full energy).
The button defaults to indicate battery degree after you’ve pressed it. White is 100-75 per cent, inexperienced 75-50 per cent, orange 50-25 per cent, pink 25 per cent and flashing pink lower than 10 per cent.
The LeMond’s iWOC provides one other management: flick by to the orange degree and maintain the button for a second, and the bike fires up its entrance headlight and illuminated seatstays.
You also can management the sunshine operation by the very intelligent Ebikemotion app, which, by the point you learn this, could have been renamed Mahle SmartBike (all a part of Ebikemotion’s incorporation into the Mahle household because the model’s takeover a few years in the past).
Whatever the title, it stands that the Prolog has very intelligent app assist. You can use it to customized-tune energy help ranges, maintain a greater eye on energy reserves, function the lights and even hyperlink it to a coronary heart-fee monitor so it’ll alter the help to maintain your coronary heart fee inside set parameters.
In the previous, I’ve been impressed by Ebikemotion’s distance vary, although often that’s when powering the likes of Cannondale’s SuperSix Evo Neo or Scott’s flyweight Addict eRoad.
Therefore, I wasn’t anticipating the Prolog to match their vary, primarily all the way down to its a lot decrease gear vary from the 1x GRX drivetrain, which means I’d anticipate to spend extra time within the motor’s energy zone quite than above it.
So I used to be pleasantly shocked by the Prolog attaining at greatest a powerful 63.75miles/102.59km with 3,005ft/916m of elevation when the flashing pink iWOC lastly dropped all its reserves.
LeMond claims 45 miles as a median vary, set to the upper USA lawful help degree of 20mph/32kph, whereas right here within the UK it’s in keeping with Europe’s 15.5mph/25kph however, both approach, I believe LeMond has erred on the facet of warning in terms of stating vary.
LeMond Prolog geometry
LeMond Prolog backside line
When the Prolog all comes collectively, it’s not only a critically good commuter bike, it’s a critically good sports activities bike.
If you’re on the lookout for a sporty assisted bike that’s good for giant miles and large hills, but mild sufficient to journey unaided, then that is one high-rated choice.
The draw back is that, at over £4,000, it’s some huge cash for purely commuting. But, for those who’re a roadie at coronary heart and need one thing that feels acquainted but is best for navigating site visitors, city roads and byways, then look no additional.
What actually impresses is the no-compromise strategy to what might be thought-about an ‘unfashionable’ bike, and the success of its good design.
Greg and his group might’ve taken the simple route by bringing out a reliable customary highway bike, and his title and status would most definitely have ensured success.
The bravery of launching a brand new model and new endeavour right into a style of motorcycle the place potential prospects will not be essentially as impressed by massive ‘race’ names and historic standing ought to be applauded.
Greg was a rider who took dangers with new know-how when he was ruling the racing world, so it’s nice to see that some issues by no means change.